Hill’s Pet Nutrition has announced a transition in its global veterinary leadership. After 13 years with the company, Dr Jolle Kirpensteijn will retire from his role as Global Chief Veterinary Officer effective 30 June 2026. At the same time, Dr Karen Shenoy has been appointed as the company’s new Global Chief Veterinary Officer and will join the Hill’s global leadership team.
Dr Shenoy will lead the global Professional & Veterinary Affairs function and represent Hill’s in industry engagements worldwide. She brings extensive experience in veterinary leadership and care, alongside a strong focus on veterinary medicine and pet nutrition.
Most recently, Dr Shenoy served as Vice President and Chief Veterinarian for Hill’s EMEA, where she led strategies aimed at strengthening Hill’s position as a trusted and recommended brand among veterinary healthcare teams in the region.
Her career with Hill’s began in 2008 as a Practice Development Veterinarian in Minneapolis. Following several field-based positions, she moved to the company’s headquarters in Kansas in 2015 to become Senior Manager of Academic Affairs. She later progressed through a number of leadership roles, including serving as Chief Veterinary Officer for Hill’s US between 2022 and 2025.
As Dr Shenoy takes on her new role, Hill’s is also recognising the contributions of Dr Kirpensteijn. He joined Hill’s US in 2013 as Chief Professional Relations Officer after leaving Utrecht University in the Netherlands, where he served as a full professor and specialist veterinary surgeon.
During his 13 years with the company, Dr Kirpensteijn helped strengthen the role of nutrition within veterinary medicine and built strong relationships with veterinarians, nurses and academic institutions worldwide. He also played a key role in advancing Hill’s veterinary partnerships, leading the Hill’s Global Symposiums and supporting educational initiatives focused on evidence-based nutrition.
Throughout his career at Hill’s, Dr Kirpensteijn also mentored future veterinary and commercial leaders. His commitment to the veterinary profession, pet wellbeing and Hill’s wider mission has left a lasting impact on both the company and the industry.
